Bill Zhang

About

Program	Bachelor of Science in Food, Nutrition and Health
Major	Food, Nutrition and Health
Year	Fourth Year
Hometown	Vancouver, BC

Shallow Roots to Rooted Purpose: Turning Struggle into Strength

Bill began his time at UBC struggling to understand why the academic habits he built no longer worked. After facing academic probation and seeking support, he gradually rebuilt his foundation through mentorship, research experience in Indonesia, and meaningful involvement in campus communities. What began as uncertainty and setback has grown into confidence rooted in resilience, purpose, and the people who helped him find his way.

What are three adjectives that describe you?

Supportive, Reflective, Resilient

How would you describe your first year at UBC? 

I struggled a lot during my first year at UBC. Despite taking a lighter course load than most people, I ended up on academic probation after failing a couple of courses.

My high school grades were good enough that I didn’t think anything was wrong. Studying was something I never felt I needed to do in high school, so I never developed the habits required for university, and the workload and rigour hit me hard. Despite these ongoing struggles, I continued skipping classes, neglecting homework, and not studying for exams.

When did you realize something needed to change?

It was only in my third year, when I took FRE 302: Small Business Management in Agri-Food Industries with Professor Kellen Wiseman, that I learned about the Master of Food and Resource Economics and realized how much I loved what I was learning. I also realized that if I wanted to build a career in the field, I would need further education.

After struggling on the midterm, I pulled myself together and narrowly finished the class with an A. That same term, I failed MATH 101 and received the lowest grade I had ever gotten, a 35%. I could see where I was and where I wanted to be, and I realized something was deeply wrong.

Many of my friends suggested I might have ADHD, some assuming I had already been diagnosed. Although I had always been forgetful, I dismissed these suggestions at first, but eventually I was willing to try anything. I decided to get an assessment, was diagnosed, started medication and registered with the Centre of Accessibility (CfA). The difference was incredible. I realized I had not been in control of myself before; I was more like someone following impulses. I could finally focus on what mattered to me.

That summer, I started doing homework consistently for the first time. When my MATH 101 midterm mark came back and I scored 90%, I knew things were going to change. Since then, my grades in 300- and 400-level classes have averaged in the high 80s. I made the Dean’s List last year and am projected to graduate with honours.

Would you say FRE 302 is your favourite course in LFS?

This is a tough question since I have had many amazing professors, but if I had to choose, I would say my favourite course was FRE 340: International Agricultural Development with Sean Hollawaychuk.

While Professor Kellen Wiseman inspired me to pursue more courses in Food and Resource Economics, it was Sean Hollawaychuk who convinced me that this field was truly for me.

Fortunately, the Food, Nutrition, and Health major is highly flexible, so I was able to enrol in Food and Resource Economics courses to complete my degree requirements. I was already interested in the topics of FRE 340 before enrolling, but the way Sean taught the content kept me glued to my seat.

Why is Sean Hollawaychuk your favourite professor?

Sean created an intellectually stimulating environment. Despite the class being early in the morning, I was always excited to show up and learn.

You can feel Sean’s passion through his teaching. He truly engaged with his students, and I can’t remember a class where I didn’t have my hand up multiple times. The small class size made it feel like we were in conversation with him rather than passively listening to a lecture. He is also funny and always made class enjoyable.

Where did your new-found passion for Food and Resource Economics take you?

I credit Sean’s passion as a major influence on not only in university but also in life. I followed him to Indonesia for a Global Seminar in LFS 302: Impact Evaluation Analysis, where I gained hands-on research experience in Bogor and saw agricultural development projects firsthand.

Not only was it incredible to see Indonesia, but it was truly special to see theory applied to real-world contexts. I gained a deeper understanding of how what I learned in class works in practice. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I would recommend his class to anyone interested in agriculture and development. It changed my life, and it might change yours too.

How are you involved outside of your academics at UBC?

Engaging with different segments of the UBC student body has been one of the most meaningful parts of my university experience. Whether it was LFS students at Agora Cafe, forestry and biology students through the Botany Enthusiasts Club, or political science and international relations students in the Model United Nations Student Association (MUNSA), these communities made UBC feel smaller and more supportive.

The friendships I built along the way were especially important when I was struggling academically. If my friends had not encouraged me to consider that I might have ADHD, I might never have sought an assessment or received the support I needed. Without that sense of community and the people who cared enough to speak up, my academic turnaround would not have been possible.

By constantly putting myself out there and embracing new challenges, I have learned to face the fear of the unknown with more courage. What once felt overwhelming has slowly become something I can lean into. While I still feel anxious at times, I now carry a sense of trust that everything will work out eventually. This journey has taught me that growth often begins in discomfort and that stepping forward, even when afraid, can lead to the most meaningful experiences.

What did you learn from your journey through LFS?

The main lesson I have learned is that if what you are doing is not working, you need to change. You cannot expect different results by doing the same thing over and over. If you are unhappy with your situation, do not wait for life to give you what you want.

Interested in studying in the Faculty of Land and Food Systems? Learn more here!